IF YOU HAVE ALREADY MET THE FEDERAL REAL I.D. REQUIREMENTS, AND HAVE A SOUTH DAKOTA DRIVER'S LICENSE WITH A STAR IN THE UPPER RIGHT-HAND CORNER, YOU DO NOT NEED TO MEET THEM AGAIN. YOU ONLY NEED THE CORRECT RECEIPT FOR A RECENT STAY (LESS than 1 year old)IN SOUTH DAKOTA (provided by Americas Campground and Lodging when you stay with us for at least one night). You may renew up to 180 days in advance of expiration. You will also need proof that you are legally allowed to use this PMB address (see #4 below for new requirement as of 10-20-2013).

If you have a driver's license from any other state with a gold star in the upper right-hand corner, you must still PROVE CITIZENSHIP to South Dakota with a current valid passport or certified birth certificate.

We try to be current but to be on the really safe side, give the number above a call to verify before you go to the driver's license facility you have chosen. MAKE SURE they understand that you have a PMB legal address or they will give you the wrong information. Local personnel turnover may result in facing someone who may not be fully aware of the rules; have the name of the person you spoke to at the statewide number handy when you go in.

Please note that unlike some other states like Texas & California, South Dakota does not require a person to have a special driver's license for big rigs.

*1. You will need to surrender your current license or State ID card from another state and show them verification of your Social Security number and one other form of ID proving citizenship.

*2. The best form of a second ID is your valid Passport/Passport Card. In the absence of a Passport, you will need to show them a Certified Birth Certificate from a government body, NOT a hospital.

*3. Verification of your SSN can ONLY be with your original Social Security Card (NOT the stub), a 1099, or a W-2 with your full name and full SSN. The documents can be from ANY year.

*If the name on your current driver's license does not match your name on these other documents, you must present either a Marriage Certificate, Divorce Order or some other Approved (CERTIFIED) Court Order (or a series of them) to prove the name you want on your SD driver's license.

*4. We have also received an email from the SD DMV that the Federal Real ID law as implemented in South Dakota for full-time travelers will NOT require you to show utility bills, bank statements, or anything else of that type as of December 31, 2009 when the Real ID Act turned into law. However, you ARE required to spend one night at a hotel, motel, or campground anywhere within the state, and to bring the receipt with your name(s), PMB address, and that location address on it to a driver's license facility anywhere in the state. This receipt MUST show the address of the South Dakota location. However, your PMB address will actually go on your driver's license. If you have a CDL there is no longer any difference in these requirements.

NEW as of 10-20-2013: You must also bring your receipt from your PMB provider OR one current piece of mail addressed to you at your PMB to prove that you are legally allowed to use the address from your campground/hotel receipt.

*5. At the DMV you will sign an affidavit saying that you are becoming a South Dakota resident and that this is the state to which you intend to return (at least every 5 years for a driver’s license). You will be excused if you are called for jury duty, so you do not have to worry about saying that you promise to serve if you are selected, since it never reaches that point.

FOR COMPLIANT DRIVER'S LICENSE RENEWAL:

You MUST return to South Dakota IN PERSON since you are a PMB holder and not a year-round resident actually present in the state. If you have a hotel, motel or campground receipt that is LESS than a year old at the time you are renewing, then you may mail that in along with the other "online" requirements, and do not have to be present in the state at the exact time you are renewing. However, you CANNOT stay away from South Dakota for 10 years and utilize online renewal in the interim.

You do NOT have to have a South Dakota driver's license to register your vehicles in Pennington County. Also, you can get your driver's license anywhere in the state, not necessarily in Rapid City, but if you want to come to the Rapid City area, you're welcome to book a campsite or room at our campground or guest rooms right here on the same premises of Americas Mailbox Mail Forwarding and Home Base Services. Call the state to find out the hours elsewhere.

Currrently driver's licenses in South Dakota cost:

$28 for a regular Drivers License

$33 for a Commercial Drivers License (CDL).

As of May 2015, credit cards ARE accepted in payment, with an additional $2 processing fee.

In many cases, it will take about 20 to 30 minutes from the time you walk in the door until you walk out, with your driver's license in your hand.

While the state can do what they want and change what they want, in many cases, many of our members have told us that all they had to do in the way of testing was place their forehead on a machine and tell the examiner what a line of letters are.

If you wish the word "Veteran" to appear on your driver's license, just bring a copy of your DD214 showing that you were honorably discharged.

The following is taken directly from the state's web site on the federal requirements for documentation needed when obtaining a South Dakota driver's license:

"Effective Dec. 31, 2009 federal regulations require anyone applying for a new, renewal, or duplicate driver license or identification card will have to provide the following documents listed below (photocopies are not acceptable).

I . You will need ONE Identity Document. NOTE: If your name is different than the name on your identity document, you will need to bring additional proof of your legal name. Acceptable documents for proof of a legal name change are

a certified marriage certificate (issued by a state vital records agency),

a certified adoption document, or a certified court order authorizing a name change (such as a divorce decree). If you have had multiple marriages, you will need to bring similar documents providing legal proof of each name change.

If you have any questions please call South Dakota Drivers Licensing Program office at 1-800-952-3696.

You will also need an:

Identity Documents to prove identity, date of birth, and lawful status is considered to be one of the following:

Certified U.S. birth certificate issued by State or County (hospital birth certificates are not acceptable)

If you are using a mail forwarding address the applicant must complete the "Residency Affidavit" while at the driver's license facility and provide one document proving their temporary address (campground or RV park receipt)."